Courage to Speak^® Drug Prevention Curriculum

for Grades 4-6

Based on the book Sunny’s Story

Written By Ginger Katz

The Courage to Speak® Drug Prevention Education Curriculum for Elementary School (grades 4-6) teaches students age-appropriate social and emotional skills on living a healthy lifestyle, how and why to avoid drugs, communication and decision-making strategies, and how to identify and avoid risky behaviors. The program is based on Sunny’s Story, a tale of family love and tragedy narrated by Sunny, the family beagle.

The reading of Sunny’s Story is followed by a nine-lesson curriculum developed by experts in drug prevention. Students take part in skill and asset-building activities through:

• Creative writing
• Group Discussion
• Art
• Scientific Demonstration
• Journaling

A Yale University evaluation found the program increased:

• Knowledge and perceptions of harm regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
• Parent-child communication about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
• Skills to avoid substance use

This study demonstrates the program’s effectiveness at positively changing attitudes and behaviors for students in grades 4–6.